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E-book
Author RICHARDS, DONALD G

Title ECONOMICS, ETHICS, AND ANCIENT THOUGHT : towards a virtuous public policy
Published [Place of publication not identified] : TAYLOR & FRANCIS, 2017

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Description 1 online resource
Series Routledge Studies in the History of Economics
Routledge studies in the history of economics.
Contents Preface and acknowledgments -- Ethics and economics -- Introduction -- Eudaimonia : the ancients and the good life -- The impact of the ancients -- Conceptions of rationality: thin, thick, and ancient -- Ethics and public policy -- The problem of pathological consumption -- Economics, ethics and the environment -- Reason, ethics, and the end of life -- Towards a virtuous public finance -- Final thoughts -- Index
Summary It is argued that the normative and ethical presuppositions of standard economics render the discipline incapable of addressing an important class of problems involving human choices. Economics adopts too thin an account both of human motivation and of 'the good' for individuals and for society. It is recommended that economists and policy makers look back to ancient philosophy for guidance on the good life and good society considered in terms of eudaimonism, or human flourishing. Economics, Ethics, and Ancient Thought begins by outlining the limitations of the normative and ethical presuppositions that underpin standard economic theory, before going on to suggest alternative normative and ethical traditions that can supplement or replace those associated with standard economic thinking. In particular, this book considers the ethical thought of ancient thinkers, particularly the ancient Greeks and their concept of eudaimonia, arguing that within those traditions better alternatives can be found to the rational choice utilitarianism characteristic of modern economic theory and policy. This volume is of great interest to those who study economic theory and philosophy, history of economic thought and philosophy of social science, as well as public policy professionals
Notes Print version record
Subject Economics -- Moral and ethical aspects
Political planning -- Moral and ethical aspects
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS -- Economics -- General.
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS -- Reference.
Economics -- Moral and ethical aspects
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781317556374
1317556372